🔗 Share this article

After last week's disappointing performance against the Japanese team, Andy Farrell told his Ireland team to step up their performance.

Ireland responded immediately.

Ireland had faded late against the All Blacks and required most of the match to find their rhythm versus their Asian opponents.

Nevertheless, facing the Wallabies, they began powerfully, with Mack Hansen shining brightest during a comprehensive victory that marked the team's best display of the season.

Making his debut international appearance at full-back, the player registered a hat-trick, contested brilliantly for high balls and performed outstandingly against the nation of his origin.

"Look, I've had a pretty challenging run with fitness issues really," Hansen stated.

"I missed being in this squad, I know there's much discussion about me not necessarily being born here and I wasn't raised here, but I love this group and this feels like family.

"Whenever I get to play for the national team it's a honor, if you fail to deliver a performance you might not get that opportunity again.

"My whole focus this week was to go out and perform what I can do."

Manager stated: 'Excellent players don't need excuses'

Following twenty-eight appearances on the wing, Hansen was given the number 15 role for the first time with multiple teammates injured.

In his case, it was essentially a case of picking up where he finished during the warmer months.

The 28-year-old had been in superb condition before injury disrupted his aspiration of making the international team.

After returned last month, he developed a lower body injury that ruled him out for earlier fixtures.

The coach had suggested that the player was especially motivated and these proved not hollow statements as the former club player gave his manager a welcome team dilemma for future matches.

"Well my initial reaction were, 'You need to play well in those two colored shoes!'," said Farrell, alluding to Hansen's decision to wear different boots.

"Actually I thought that was appropriate but it seems Hansen just did that personally regardless. So he's drawn attention to himself before he's even started.

"I told to him before the game, 'Good players require no excuses, they can perform and just play naturally, you can get the man of the match if you want,' and he responded, 'Yes, I concur.'

"So he's that kind of player, he prepares thoroughly, he's has a great attitude to understand his preparation and thus that's why he slotted right back in and he was able to be himself due to that."

Hansen's efforts also earned praise from the rival coach, who stated he was the "standout opposition performer" on the night.

"In my view he was outstanding, his experience showed to the fore," said the former international manager.

"Regrettably, Mack was probably the best opposition player on the field. He's got a great ability and he's such a good competitor."

When asked about what makes the player a strong fit at full-back, the coach continued: "Showing up in the center of the pitch is a trait that he demonstrates from the flank regardless, but I suppose he's better in position for that frequently.

"The player's aerial play was excellent, don't you think? I believed we persisted of doing the right thing and that was placing the ball again on them to secure territory.

"The reason that was the correct thing to do is since it's the players of Mackie who was getting the balls back, and additional players, so [it's] pretty pleasing."

Outside Hansen, there were multiple encouraging aspects for the coach.

Sam Prendergast was outstanding on his return to the number 10 jersey, the set piece and line-out functioned effectively and another teammate did not appear out of place in his first start in the front row.

But perhaps most pleasing for Farrell was Ireland bookending the game with multiple strong periods.

Hansen's first couple of tries occurred in the opening eleven minutes while additional players scored in the closing exchanges after the opposition had scored, guaranteeing the Irish side finished on a high.

"In my opinion we truly let ourselves go and attacked the match right from the word go," said the coach.

"How we handled numerous aspects during the game, especially them coming back just before half-time and regathering ourselves and giving a display like we achieved in the later stages, I thought as far as field position and being across the majority of our strategy in that later period was truly pleasing."

The might of South Africa are next up for the team, in what could be viewed as an informal conclusion to the previous season's drawn two-Test series on opposition soil.

Farrell's side will require to reach another level to defeat the consecutive world champions, but the recent defeat of the Australian team was a significant step in the correct path after an uninspiring beginning to their fall campaign.